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NOR! 16+ SI ASSOCliAVila CONSULTANTS,, ylIC, <br />5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 555, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 <br />Telephone: 952.595.9636 Facsimile: 952.595.9837 planners@nacplanning.com <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Little Canada Planning Commission <br />FROM: Stephen Grittman <br />DATE: June 12, 2001 <br />RE: Little Canada - Montgomery Fence Variance <br />FILE NO: 758.09 - 01.10 <br />Background and Analysis <br />Brian Montgomery is requesting a variance from the fence requirements relating to fence <br />height and construction in the front yard. The proposed fence would be located along the <br />side yard adjoining the street, would be six feet in height, and would be a completely <br />opaque structure. The zoning ordinance permits fences in "front" yards (within 30 feet of <br />a street right -of -way), including side yards adjoining the street, to be no more than 42 <br />inches in height, and 25% open. A six foot high fence can be placed within the rear yard, <br />or when it meets the 30 foot setback. The new fence would replace a previously existing <br />conforming fence that did not provide the privacy sought by the applicant from adjoining <br />traffic. <br />The applicant's parcel is a corner lot along Rosewood Drive zoned R -1, Single Family <br />Residential. Because the lot was created from a previously existing parcel and the road <br />came in afterwards, the property was granted a variance for the setback of the house from <br />the side street, approximately 16 feet from Rosewood. Behind the property is the "Coffee <br />House ", a mixed use coffee shop and residence, zoned R -B, Residential Business. The <br />commercial use has been popular, and as a result, there has been a significant amount <br />of on- street parking along the street next to the Montgomery property. The applicant's <br />fence proposal is designed to connect to an existing six foot high fence which separates <br />the rear yards of the two parcels. <br />Variances are to be reviewed against a standard which requires a finding of a unique, <br />physical condition that creates a hardship in complying with the standards of the <br />Page 13 <br />